"Arrow! Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!"

Contents

History

Bard served as a soldier in Lake-town, and was one of the most skilled archers among Men. He was the heir of Girion, the last lord of Dale. Noted for his grim face and spirit, he was an able archer and inherited his Black Arrow from his ancestors. Considering it a lucky heirloom, he always used it last.[1]

Bard organized the defense of the town when the DragonSmaug attacked. When the old thrush (who had overheard Bilbo Baggins' description of Smaug[2]) revealed an unarmoured spot on the Dragon's underside to Bard, he shot the dragon's heart with the Black Arrow. Because of his miraculous shot he was given the epithet "the Bowman" and "the Dragon-slayer".[1]

The victors divided the treasure and Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone, whereupon he shared his reward with the Master of Lake-town to rebuild the town, and gave Thranduil the emeralds of Girion.[3] However, the Master stole the money and ran off into the wild where he died.[6] Three years later, after the rebuilding of the city, Bard became the first King of restored Dale as a wise and able ruler.[7]

Etymology

As a Lake-man, Bard's name was in the language of Dale, which is represented by Old Norse in the book.[8][9] In other Germanic names (such as Isembard), bard refers to beard. This could be either the facial hair, or more likely "Battle-Axe" (beard is also a term for a part of an axe).

Robert Ireland and Ruth S. Noel, who perhaps overlooked the connection to Old Norse, provide as translations the Celtic words, bárd ("guardian")[10] and bard ("poet").[11]

Genealogy

Other Versions of the Legendarium

In his original concept of The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien intended Bilbo Baggins to be the slayer of Smaug the Dragon, stabbing him in his sleep in his lair in the Lonely Mountain. Tolkien then changed his mind and in a major shift decided that Smaug would die at Esgaroth.[12] This necessitated the creation of a hero, Bard, who was revealed to be the descendant of Girion. Having created this dragon-slayer, Tolkien was going to let him die in the wreck of Lake-town.[13] However, realizing new possibilities for the story, especially having a rightful claimant to part of the dragon's hoard other than the Dwarves, Tolkien kept Bard alive.[14]

No actor is credited for the part of Bard, but it appears to be André Sogliuzzo. He is portrayed as the Captain of the guard, a stout black haired man with a full beard. Bilbo helps him retrieve the Black Arrow and stop a gang of Orcs and men from taking over Lake-town.

Luke Evans portrays Bard.[16] He is first introduced coming across Bilbo and Thorin's Company along the River Running when waiting to retrieve the empty wine barrels returned by the Woodland Realm. The Dwarves agree to pay him to smuggle them into Lake-town and get the weapons and supplies they need for reaching the Lonely Mountain. He takes them in to his home until they plan to leave. When he learns of Thorin's true identity, he becomes worried about the Dwarves' quest, believing the Dragon will destroy everything in its path if awakened. In addition to his son, Bain, Bard also has two daughters: Sigrid and Tilda. He is also revealed to be a widower.

Known by the Master of Lake-town (and his right hand man Alfrid) to be the descendant of Girion, the last lord of Dale, and fearing he may be trying to undermine their authority, Bard is under constant surveillance by various spies. He is ultimately arrested at the Master's behest on some vague charge and imprisoned at the end of the film.

Bard escapes from his prison cell during Smaug's destruction of Lake-town and attempts to take down the fire-drake. Bain manages to find him and get him the last Black Arrow, which allows him to finally take down the Dragon. He becomes a hero among the town's survivors and leads them in taking refuge in the remains of Dale. When Thranduil arrives with an army of Elves to attack the mountain, Bard attempts to peacefully come to terms with Thorin. He asks him for a portion of the treasure which Thorin had promised to the people of Lake-town, but Thorin refuses to give them anything while Thranduil's army remains. After this, Bard reluctantly joins Thranduil in his attack. However, the arrival of an Orc army leads all involved to refocus their attention and battle the Orcs instead.